Overview

Sheen Falls Lodge is a five-star Relais & Châteaux country estate resting along the shores of Kenmare Bay, framed by the Ring of Kerry, the Beara Peninsula, and the Wild Atlantic Way. The history of the site starts in the 1600s, when land and title were gifted to the Englishman who oversaw the first detailed map survey of Ireland during the Cromwellian era.

The first house on the estate was a simple shooting and fishing house, unchanged until 1854 when a new fishing lodge was built, and the estate changed hands several times until it was purchased by a Danish family in the 1980s who converted it into the acclaimed 5-star hotel guests experience today.

The hotel opened in 1991 and has since built an international reputation, most recently being named the #1 Resort in Europe in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards 2025, and #1 Resort Hotel in Ireland in the Travel + Leisure Best of Awards 2025.

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What You'll See

The lodge sits on a 300-acre private estate with rooms and suites offering views of either the cascading Sheen Falls waterfall or across Kenmare Bay. Accommodation ranges from Classic and Deluxe Rooms up to Falls View Suites at 800 square feet, four Signature Suites, and the Falls Master Suite at 1,350 square feet - the jewel in the crown of the property.

For ultimate privacy, thatched cottage residences sit within the grounds with all the amenities of the main lodge. Dining centers on The Falls Restaurant, the award-winning fine dining room that previously held a Michelin star from 1993 to 1998, alongside The Stables Brasserie & Bar in the beautifully reimagined stables and Nua Vista Restaurant at the sister Ring of Kerry Golf Club property with Mediterranean-influenced menu and panoramic views.

Visitor Essentials

Kenmare town is a five-minute drive from the lodge. The Easanna Wellness & Spa offers a full range of treatments, with an indoor pool and thermal facilities. Activities on the estate include horse riding, clay pigeon shooting, guided walks, falconry displays, paddle boarding, archery, fishing, and horse and cart excursions.

Hotel guests receive a 15% discount on green fees at the Ring of Kerry Golf Club, five miles away. The lodge was among the first hotels in the world to receive the prestigious two Michelin Key distinction in 2024, and has retained that rating for 2025.

Tips

Book a Falls View Suite if you want the signature Sheen Falls experience - the sound and view of the waterfall directly below the window is the defining feature of a stay here. The Gourmet Getaway package and the Stay 3 Pay 2 thatched cottage offer are worth checking if flexible with dates, as they significantly improve the value.

For those wanting to explore both the Ring of Kerry and the Ring of Beara, Sheen Falls is an ideal base - it sits almost exactly between the two peninsulas and avoids the traffic of Killarney town. The short drive into Kenmare for dinner or shopping is easy and well worth doing at least once during the stay, as Kenmare is one of the most appealing small heritage towns in southwest Ireland. The 300-acre estate itself is significant - factor in time for walks along the Sheen River without leaving the property.